Can Thumb-Sucking Damage Your Child's Teeth?

Sometimes, children seem to love nothing more than some quiet thumb-sucking time. But you might worry that this little pastime could do permanent damage to your child's teeth. Here's more information about thumb-sucking in children, when it might be cause for concern and tips to help stop the habit.

Why Do Children Suck Their Thumbs?

Thumb-sucking is a natural behavior that can begin in the womb.¹ It helps your baby feel relaxed when stressed, happy, secure and even sleepy. In fact, for newborns, sucking is a natural biological reflex that helps with breastfeeding and bottle feeding. They learn instinctually that the act of sucking provides comfort and can help them control their emotions.²

Your child's baby teeth will begin emerging around six months of age, and many children find that sucking their thumbs or fingers can help ease this discomfort.³ From there, thumb-sucking may simply continue as a coping skill.

Early in life, thumb-sucking is considered a harmless, common habit when it comes to your child's development.¹ Most children will naturally stop sucking their thumbs as they grow and develop new coping skills for handling stress and discomfort. Some, however, may need a little extra encouragement along the way.

Does Thumb-Sucking Damage Teeth?

Unfortunately, when thumb-sucking lasts too long, it can cause problems with your child's permanent teeth. In addition, some children simply have more vigorous thumb-sucking behavior that can cause issues. Instead of gently resting a thumb in their mouth, these children put pressure on their teeth and the roof of their mouth. This type of aggressive thumb-sucking can cause more damage to the jaw or to how their teeth align, even at a younger age.⁴

Long-Term Effects of Thumb-Sucking

The pressure thumb-sucking creates can affect your child's teeth, jawbone and the roof of the mouth, potentially causing a number of dental problems, some of which may require orthodontic treatment.¹ Issues may include:

• Overbite or "buck teeth," in which the upper front teeth protrude past the lower teeth⁴
• An open bite wherein the upper and lower teeth don't meet properly,³ which can happen when sucking puts enough pressure on the mouth to cause the upper jaw to narrow¹
• Developing a lisp that requires speech therapy due to the teeth not aligning correctly¹
• Lower teeth that tip inward⁴
• Sensitivity on the roof of the mouth³
• Cracked skin or calluses on the thumb²

When Should a Child Stop Sucking Their Thumb?

Most children gradually ease up on the habit over time and typically stop thumb-sucking on their own between the ages of 2 and 4.¹ While one in three babies suck their thumbs, only about 1 in 20 children are still sucking their thumbs by the time they're 8 years old.⁴

In many cases, thumb-sucking won't cause long-lasting problems as long as the child stops by the time permanent teeth come in, usually around age 6.⁵ However, some experts believe that damage to the developing jaw and soft tissue might happen at a younger age in some cases.¹ This is especially possible with aggressive thumb-sucking that puts more pressure on the jaw and mouth.⁴

You may want to start encouraging your child to wean away from thumb-sucking around 3 to 4 years of age.² But remember, every child is different. Some are fine with later intervention, while others may need help at a younger age.

Consult with your pediatric dentist about what age your child should stop sucking on their thumb.

Tips to Help a Child Stop Sucking Their Thumb

If you're concerned that your child's thumb-sucking is too vigorous or is lasting too long, consider these remedies to break the habit. Remember that your child is self-soothing with thumb-sucking, so you don't want to make the stress worse.¹

• Give rewards. A reward such as a special outing they've been wanting or stickers are appropriate when you notice your child is not sucking their thumb.⁵ Because thumb-sucking is a form of comfort, positive reinforcement tends to work best.
• Praise. Give positive feedback to your child when they make an effort to not suck their thumb rather than criticize them when they do.¹
• Gentle reminders. When you spot your child thumb-sucking, you might start by talking to your child about limiting thumb-sucking to bedtime and nap time, rather than in public. Or ask if their favorite cartoon character sucks their thumb, so they'll think more about the concept of stopping the habit.¹
• Identify thumb-sucking habits and offer alternatives. For instance, if your child seems to suck their thumb when they feel anxious, bored, hungry or tired, address that issue. Offer other soothing options, such as a stuffed animal or a blanket.⁵
• Teach new coping skills. In addition to suggesting alternatives, try teaching your child how to proactively look for other ways to soothe themselves when they are stressed. Does exercising or kid-friendly yoga help? How about playing with a pet or listening to music?²
• Avoid quick fixes like wearing gloves. This can increase stress and just make them want to suck their thumb more.¹ An exception is if your child really wants to quit and can't, and asks you to find a device like a thumb guard to help them break the habit.²
• Ask about orthodontic devices. In some cases, your child's dentist may suggest an orthodontic device to help break the thumb-sucking habit.³

Regardless of thumb-sucking, it's a good idea to begin taking your child for regular dental exams starting at age 1. Your dentist can help you assess your child's thumb-sucking behavior and determine if it poses a problem. If it could create potential issues, your dentist will work with you to develop a plan of action to help ensure your child's good dental health.

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Author Bio

Stephanie Dwilson specializes in science journalism, breaking news and animal health, and is a business owner, non-practicing attorney and writer.